U.S. patent application number 12/281676 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-09 for vacuum head dressing.
Invention is credited to Jake Timothy.
Application Number | 20090177134 12/281676 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36219198 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090177134 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Timothy; Jake |
July 9, 2009 |
VACUUM HEAD DRESSING
Abstract
A post-operative or trauma-site head dressing (10) comprises a
cap (12) adapted to fit over the head (20) of a patient. The cap is
a patchwork of compartments (14) of airtight, flexible material
connected to a single opening (18) through which air may be
evacuated. The compartments are filled with polystyrene beads so
that, on air evacuation, the cap not only becomes rigid, but also
gently presses against the scalp to inhibit post-operative swelling
and/or bleeding from head wounds.
Inventors: |
Timothy; Jake; (Leeds,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TAFT, STETTINIUS & HOLLISTER LLP
SUITE 1800, 425 WALNUT STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202-3957
US
|
Family ID: |
36219198 |
Appl. No.: |
12/281676 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
March 5, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB07/00774 |
371 Date: |
November 18, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
602/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 13/12 20130101;
A61F 5/05891 20130101; A61F 5/05833 20130101; A61F 2013/00468
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
602/53 |
International
Class: |
A61F 13/00 20060101
A61F013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 6, 2006 |
GB |
0604458.0 |
Claims
1. A head dressing comprising a cap formed by a flexible air-tight
bag including a plurality of compartments filled with beads, the
cap including means to evacuate the compartments whereby
atmospheric pressure compresses the flexible material against the
beads transforming them into a solid block.
2. A dressing as claimed in claim 1, in which the cap includes an
adjustable temple band, whereby the band can be adjusted to fit
around a wearer's head before the compartments are evacuated.
3. A dressing as claimed in claim 2, in which said cap comprises an
elongate compartment forming said temple band, the temple band
having two ends which may be releasably connected together at
variable positions, and to one side of which band there is
connected a patchwork of further compartments shaped to form a
dome, the ends of said band not being connected to said further
compartments.
4. A dressing as claimed in claim 3, in which, in use, said ends
are arranged at a front of the cap, whereby they are connected
together in the region of a wearer's forehead.
5. A dressing as claimed in claim 3, in which a releasable
connection is effected by hook and loop fastening material.
6. A dressing as claimed in claim 1, in which said compartments are
interconnected so that said means to evacuate comprises a single
opening.
7. A dressing as claimed in claim 1, in which there are multiple
bags, each with only a single compartment.
8. A dressing as claimed in claim 7, in which said bags are quite
independent, except for a common conduit leading from the opening
of each bag to a single means of evacuation for all the bags
together.
9. A dressing as claimed in claim 1, in which, said means to
evacuate includes a non-return valve.
10. A dressing as claimed in claim 1, in which the means to
evacuate the compartments is a hand pump.
11. A dressing as claimed in claim 1, in which the beads are
polystyrene.
12. More than one of a dressing as claimed in claim 1, wherein each
dressing is of a different size to enable more accurate fitting of
the cap to people's heads.
13. A method of reducing post-operative swelling of the head of a
human or animal patient, or for controlling blood loss from wounds
in the skull comprising the steps of. a) applying to the head a cap
formed by a flexible air-tight bag including a plurality of
compartments filled with beads, the cap including means to evacuate
the compartments; and, b) evacuating the compartments whereby
atmospheric pressure compresses the flexible material against the
beads transforming them into a solid block.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, in which said cap employed in
said method is the head dressing as claimed in claim 1.
15. (canceled)
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a method of, and apparatus for,
reducing the occurrence of post-operative swelling in patient's
undergoing surgery on the head, and in particular to a head
dressing for such patients. The invention relates also to head
dressings generally, for example to stem bleeding from the head of
a victim at the site of an accident.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Post-operative swelling is always an issue that is sought to
be minimised. It hinders recovery. On the other hand, it cannot be
eliminated altogether because the operation wound needs a blood
supply to enable healing, and that inevitably results in some
leakage, and hence swelling. Bandages are usually employed but, for
head injuries, bandages are bulky and cumbersome. Indeed, most of
the bandage employed does not come into contact with the wound but
rather is around the head merely holding a small part of the
bandage against the wound. Moreover, wounds need to be checked
periodically, to ensure that there is not excessive leakage of
fluid from the wound. Generally, bandages are disposed of when a
wound is checked and this is wasteful.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,535 discloses apparatus for arresting
scalp bleeding, and comprises a skull cap including a plurality of
inflatable bladders each inflatable to press different parts of the
head and effect haemostasis. Presumably, the device is intended for
emergency situations in which stemming of bleeding from an open
wound at an accident/incident site is desired. This is thus a
temporary measure while the victim is awaiting proper medical
attention. In this circumstance, the ability to inflate perhaps a
single bladder that applies pressure only on the wound site is a
satisfactory arrangement.
[0004] However, in a post operative situation, where a permanent
dressing is needed, this single-site application of pressure would
not be satisfactory.
[0005] My international application publication number
WO-2005/097022 describes a post-operative head dressing comprising
an expansion resistant cap adapted to fit over the head of a
patient and a liner therefor, which liner comprises a network of
tubes of resilient material connected to a single opening through
which gas may be introduced to pressurise the liner network so that
the liner expands against the cap to be urged inwardly, reducing
its circumference about a periphery of the cap. When the cap is
worn by a human patient and the liner is inflated, pressure is
applied to the patient's scalp, at least around a periphery of the
skull. This stems blood flow in the capillaries of the scalp and
reduces inflammation therein.
[0006] Such an arrangement is satisfactory except that pressure
points still develop and keeping the cap on the head is a
problem.
[0007] It is known to employ pots and splints to set broken bones,
or at least immobilise limbs in post-accident trauma situations.
Such pots and splints take many forms and one form comprises an
element having compartments formed from flexible material and
filled with polystyrene or like beads. The flexible material is
airtight and the compartments are provided with means to evacuate
them of air. Once moulded around a patient's limb, the compartments
are evacuated and atmospheric pressure compresses the beads inside
the compartments into solid blocks, so that the element as a whole
takes on a solid structure. In such a way, the limb becomes rigidly
supported. The following patents disclose such or similar
arrangements: GB-A-1422966, EP-A-189317, U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,353,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,656,143. However, there is no suggestion that such
an arrangement may have application as a bandage to stem bleeding
or inhibit swelling.
[0008] Indeed, as in my previous application, it is an object of
the present invention to provide an improved post-operative
dressing that stems swelling and bleeding of a patient that has
undergone surgery on their head. However, it is also an object of
the present invention to provide a head dressing that can be
employed at any time, for example, post accident trauma.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0009] Throughout the description and claims of this specification,
the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for
example "comprising" and "comprises", means "including but not
limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other
moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.
[0010] Throughout the description and claims of this specification,
the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise
requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the
specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as
well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.
[0011] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical
moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular
aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood
to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example
described herein unless incompatible therewith.
[0012] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a
head dressing comprising a cap formed by a flexible air-tight bag
including a plurality of compartments filled with beads, the cap
including means to evacuate the compartments whereby atmospheric
pressure compresses the flexible material against the beads
transforming them into a solid block. Preferably, the cap includes
an adjustable temple band, whereby the band can be adjusted to fit
around a wearer's head before the compartments are evacuated.
[0013] Surprisingly, it is found that not only does the cap become
rigid, as one would have expected given the arrangements known in
the art of bone splints using similar arrangements, but also that a
gentle all-around pressure is exerted by the cap against the
wearer's skull. This stems blood flow in the capillaries of the
scalp and reduces inflammation therein, as well as bleeding from
open wounds. Furthermore, because the element can be shaped against
a wearer's skull by appropriate manipulation of the beads, the
opportunities for pressure points, or, more particularly,
absent-pressure points, are reduced. A more even application of
pressure appears to be achieved.
[0014] Preferably, said compartments are interconnected so that
said means to evacuate comprises a single opening. In this event,
said bag is a single bag. On the other hand, there may be multiple
bags, indeed, each with only a single compartment. Said bags may be
quite independent, but may be separate except for a common conduit
leading from the opening of each bag to a single means of
evacuation for all the bags together. Preferably, said opening
includes a non-return valve. Preferably, a hand pump is provided by
means of which said evacuation may be achieved.
[0015] Preferably, said cap comprises an elongate compartment
forming said temple band, the ends of which may be releasably
connected together at variable positions, to one side of which band
there is connected a patchwork of further compartments shaped to
form a dome, said side at the ends of said band not being connected
to said further compartments. Preferably, in use, said ends are
arranged at a front of the cap, whereby they are connected together
in the region of a wearer's forehead.
[0016] Preferably, said releasable connection is effected by hook
and loop fastening material. The beads may conveniently be
polystyrene, and of approximately round shape. However, the
constituency or shape of the beads is not fundamental to the
operation of the dressing provided that the beads do not slide over
one another in a fluid-like manner once compressed together by
atmospheric pressure.
[0017] In use, wounds will be covered with a gauze dressing, to
prevent direct contact between the tubes and a patients' skin.
[0018] Different caps may be provided to enable more accurate
fitting of the cap to people's (differently-shaped) heads.
[0019] The invention also provides method of reducing
post-operative swelling of the head of a human or animal patient,
or for controlling blood loss from wounds in the skull comprising
the steps of: [0020] a) applying to the head a cap formed by a
flexible air-tight bag including a plurality of compartments filled
with beads, the cap including means to evacuate the compartments;
and, [0021] b) evacuating the compartments whereby atmospheric
pressure compresses the flexible material against the beads
transforming them into a solid block.
[0022] Preferably, said cap employed in said method is the cap of a
dressing as defined above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] An embodiment of the invention is further described
hereinafter, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a patient's head on which a
cap in accordance with the present invention is fitted;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a front view of the cap of FIG. 1; and
[0026] FIG. 3 is a section through the cap of FIG. 1 along the line
III-III in that Figure.
[0027] In FIG. 1, a head dressing 10 comprises a cap element 12
consisting of a patchwork of compartments 14 which are
interconnected together in the form of a hemispherical dome, having
a rim 16. Rim 16 is formed by a single band compartment 17. At the
back of the rim 16 is a single port 18 through which air can be
introduced to, and evacuated from, the dressing 10.
[0028] In use, a patient 20 has undergone surgery of one
description or another on their head, or suffered a head trauma
resulting in a wound. At the end of surgery, the wound (not shown)
is closed in the normal way, and covered with breathable gauze (not
shown). Alternatively, at an accident site the patient is assessed
for suitability and need for a head dressing to stem blood loss
from a head wound. Then, the cap 12 is placed over the head 20,
enclosing the wound and its gauze covering. The liner 12 is a loose
fit over the skull of the patient. Different sizes are made
available for patients with differently sized heads. However,
although band 17 is connected along most of one side 19 to the
patchwork dome 14, at its ends 21 it is not connected to the dome
and so a certain degree of adjustability is provided in the
circumference of the cap. Thus, once placed on the head 20, hoop
and hook patches 23 on the respective ends 21 of the band 17 are
engaged so as to provide a snug-fit around the patient's head.
[0029] Patchwork 14, in its simplest form, is merely four
triangular pieces 14a,b forming a pyramid. However, they may be
Y-shaped, with arms 14c,d being joined to provide some roundness to
the arrangement to better approximate the shape of the skull.
[0030] In any event, each compartment 14 is composed of inner layer
22 and outer layer 24 of airtight material sealed around all edges,
so that the compartments so formed are airtight. Inside each
compartment is disposed numerous polystyrene beads 26 approximately
filling the space of the compartments, but not so much as to
pressurise their inner and outer layers.
[0031] All the interiors of the compartments 14 are preferably
linked by passages 28 formed by breaks in the connections between
inner and outer layers 22,24 and between the adjacent compartments.
Therefore it is necessary to provide only one air valve 18. This is
preferably in the form of a switchable non-return valve and has a
screw connection 30 to permit detachable connection of a suction
pump 32.
[0032] When the cap 12 is fitted on the patient's head, and tabs 23
connected so that the band 17 is a snug fit, the compartments may
be shaped by hand so that the beads inside conform to the shape of
the patients skull. Then, once the pump 32 has been connected, the
compartments 14 are evacuated so that the beads 26 are compressed
together by atmospheric pressure and take on a solid construction.
Furthermore, they tighten evenly onto the skull, applying an even
pressure quite adequate to stem bleeding from an open wound, or
indeed, to prevent swelling.
[0033] In addition, by virtue of the restriction of blood supply,
swelling associated with the trauma of surgery can be limited.
[0034] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and
documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this
specification in connection with this application and which are
open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents
of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0035] All of the features disclosed in this specification
(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or
all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be
combined in any combination, except combinations where at least
some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
[0036] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any
accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar
purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a
generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0037] The invention is not restricted to the details of any
foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or
any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this
specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and
drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the
steps of any method or process so disclosed.
* * * * *